Danny Kanell updates Top 12 College Football Rankings following Week 11

College football analyst and former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell has made a few changes to his top 12 rankings after Week 11. It was a crazy weekend of action that saw both Miami and Georgia lose resulting in a massive shakeup at the top.

The Bulldogs went from No. 6 in Kanell’s rankings last week to unranked this week after a 28-10 loss to Ole Miss. They are now 7-2 (5-2 SEC) on the year and can’t afford another loss if they hope to make the College Football Playoff.

The Hurricanes managed to stay in Kanell’s rankings this week after suffering their first loss of the season against Georgia Tech, but dropped from No. 2 all the way down to No. 10. Only four undefeated teams remain in all of college football after Miami’s loss, and three of them are at the top of Kanell’s rankings.

You can view the full top 12 rankings from Danny Kanell after Week 11 of college football below.

1. Oregon Ducks (10-0)

Oregon continues to roll through its first season as a member of the Big Ten and notched its 10th win of the year by a score of 39-18 against Maryland on Saturday. The Ducks are the clear favorite to win the conference and have the highest percentage chance of any team in the country to make the College Football Playoff according to ESPN.

Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel hasn’t missed a beat stepping in as the starter, and became the FBS’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns over the weekend. He is one of the leading candidates to win the Heisman Trophy with 2,848 yards passing and 22 touchdowns to five interceptions this year.

2. Indiana Hoosiers (10-0)

Indiana has been the biggest surprise of the season as it has already set a program record with 10 wins. The Hoosiers had a close call this past week as Michigan came back within two points late, but never trailed in the eventual 20-15 win.

The biggest question mark at this point is a lack of quality wins and strength of schedule, as Indiana has yet to play a team ranked in the top 25. That will change when it heads to Columbus to face Ohio State in two weeks, a game that could decide its postseason fate.

3. BYU Cougars (9-0)

BYU nearly saw its undefeated season come crashing down Saturday but managed to pull out a 22-21 victory against Utah. The Cougars drove 65 yards downfield in the final two minutes to kick the game-winning field goal with three seconds remaining.

BYU sits alone atop the Big 12 standings with three games remaining on the conference schedule. Its path to the league title game is clear, where it can punch its ticket to the CFP.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1)

The Buckeyes have won three straight since falling to Oregon a month ago and got their second shutout win of the season, 45-0 against Purdue on Saturday. That includes a top 10 win against Penn State that should give them a shot at an at-large bid in the College Football Playoff if they can’t win the Big Ten.

A matchup against Indiana in two weeks will likely determine which of those two teams meet Oregon to compete for the conference crown. A win in that game would almost guaranteed the Buckeyes a spot in the 12-team field.

5. Tennessee Volunteers (8-1)

Tennessee comes in as the only SEC team in the top five of Danny Kanell’s rankings. The Vols are now in a three-way tie atop the SEC standings as a result of Georgia losing this past week.

They can move even further ahead of the Bulldogs next week as they will head to Athens for a pivotal clash. A win there would likely cement Tennessee’s spot in the playoff while knocking Georgia completely out of contention.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1)

Penn State bounced back from a loss against Ohio State with a commanding 35-6 victory against Washington this past weekend. The Nittany Lions did not give up a touchdown on defense and rushed for 266 yards on offense.

The schedule sets up well for them to potentially win out with matchups against Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland remaining. If they finish the season with only one loss, that will put them right in the mix to earn an at-large bid.

7. Texas Longhorns (8-1)

Texas has now won two straight since suffering its first loss of the season against Georgia and notched a 49-17 win against Florida on Saturday. Quinn Ewers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns in what was his best game since returning from injury a month ago.

The Longhorns control their own destiny as to whether they will make the SEC Championship as they have a game against Texas A&M to close out the regular season. If both teams win out, the winner of that contest will compete in the conference title game for the chance to earn an automatic bid to the CFP.

8. SMU Mustangs (8-1)

After losses from Miami and Clemson, SMU now sits in sole possession of first place in the ACC. Welcome to the new world of college football.

The Mustangs defeated Pittsburgh by a score of 48-25 this last week after 161 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns from Brashard Smith. If they are able to win the conference in their first year as a member, it would also help them earn their first-ever College Football Playoff berth.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1)

Notre Dame has now won seven straight since suffering an embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Fighting Irish are coming off of a dominant 52-3 win against Florida State this past weekend and have an opportunity to get another quality win against an undefeated Army team in two weeks.

They already have resume-boosting victories against Texas A&M and Louisville from earlier this year. Because Notre Dame is independent, however, it can not earn an at-large bid and will have to hope the committee isn’t too concerned with the bad loss from September.

10. Miami Hurricanes (9-1)

Cam Ward threw for three touchdowns to keep Miami in the game, but didn’t get much help elsewhere in a 28-23 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. That caused the Hurricanes to drop eight spots in Danny Kanell’s rankings, but they are still in good shape.

Miami will need to hope that Clemson loses to Pittsburgh next week so it can move into sole possession of second place. If that happens and the Hurricanes win out, they’ll still have a chance to compete for the ACC title.

11. Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)

The Rebels got a big win for their College Football Playoff resume by taking out No. 3 Georgia on Saturday. That should do them some favors in the eyes of the committee after they opened the initial rankings at No. 16.

It’s possible that a two-loss team from the SEC could get into the CFP and the Rebels will hope they’ve done enough for them to be that team. They close out the year with games against Florida and Mississippi State.

12. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2)

Like Ole Miss, Alabama also earned a win against a top 25 team this past week, beating LSU by a score of 42-13. Quarterback Jalen Milroe had his best game in quite some time, rushing for 185 yards and four touchdowns on four carries.

It was reminiscent of his early season form and the Crimson Tide will need him to continue to play that way as they look to close out the regular season strong. They’re still on the outside looking in of the CFP as well, but this helps move them closer.